tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering whatever happened to real statesmen in Washington, here's what's on my mind this morning:

* For all the tabloid writers in New York questioning whether this is the end for Derek Jeter, the Captain is hitting over .350 since getting his 3,000 hit.

* Wednesday will be a big day for the Yanks as it will be Phil Hughes' last start before the trade deadline. I still feel the Yankees need to make a deal.

* Brian Cashman has been awfully quiet of late. Is he playing possum or is he content with what he has on the roster??

* With close races in 5 of the 6 divisions, there seems to be more buyers than sellers this year.

* Who would you rather have: Carlos Beltran or B.J. Upton?? How about Hunter Pence?

* What will be more exciting, the baseball trade deadline or the NFL free agent frenzy??

* The NFL free agent grab begins today at 10am. This will be real interesting since teams do not have exclusive right to deal with their own free agents.

* Todd Heap, Willis McGahee and Derrick Mason were all cut by the Baltimore Ravens to clear cap space. Can't imagine Heap won't be re-signed and its possible Mason will too. Not so sure about McGahee, who has never lived up to all the hype when he came out of college.

* I nearly threw a shoe at the TV the other day when it was reported that the Philadelphia Eagles may be the landing spot for the return of Brett Farve. I can't believe that Andy Reid would do that. Farve and Michael Vick on the same team??? It doesn't work for me.

* Canton, Ohio it appears is a casualty in the senseless NFL lockout as the Hall of Fame game is canceled. The induction ceremonies will go on as planned but no game.

* In October we will find out what the NCAA plans to do to the North Carolina football program as a result of an investigation into charges of academic misconduct and players receiving improper benefits. If you recall, 14 players were held out of one game last season due to the investigation.

* Guess who really benefitted from the 2004-2005 NHL lockout?? Gary Bettman. Its reported that Bettman made $7.5 million last year nearly doubling what his salary was before the lockout. Hmmmmmm...I wonder if Florida, Tampa, Phoenix, Nashville, and Columbus have seen their revenues go up 50%??? At least losing a season increased Gary's pay handsomely.